The conversation between clients and language service companies is changing. In an environment shaped by cybersecurity concerns, regulatory obligations, ESG requirements and growing supply-chain scrutiny, compliance and governance are emerging as key topics. For many LSCs, the first signs of this shift are appearing in client due diligence processes. Security questionnaires, AI-use declarations, supplier risk assessments and ESG information requests are becoming increasingly common parts of procurement and supplier onboarding exercises.

This ATC newsletter highlights some of the ways in which LSCs are demonstrating that their processes, data handling practices, and security measures can be trusted.

ISO Standards as Compliance & Governance Tools

ISO standards are increasingly serving as evidence that multilingual communication processes are governed, secure, auditable and fit for purpose. In her recent blog, ATC CEO Raisa McNab writes about the changing narrative around ISO standards which has often focused on quality, process improvement, and the value of certification in differentiating your business from competitors. These benefits remain important but the context in which clients evaluate suppliers is changing. Today, many clients want to understand how data is handled, how risks are managed, how continuity is assured, and how processes are governed. They want evidence that suppliers can operate reliably within increasingly complex, regulated, and risk-sensitive environments.

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New Information Security ISO Training for LSCs

Information and data security are amongst the most pressing areas for LSCs to address within their language service processes and supply chains. Start by accessing the National Cyber Security Centre’s Small Business Guide to Cyber Security and implementing the government-backed Cyber Essentials Certification to demonstrate cyber security compliance to your clients. Then, move on to consider implementation and compliance to the globally recognised ISO 27001 standard for information security – traditionally challenging for SME LSCs to attain, but now more accessible than ever thanks to a new, free introductory course to ISO 27001 for LSPs by ATC Certification’s Academy.

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Take Part in Research into Risk Management & Best Practices for Secure AI Use

The increased use of new AI technologies introduces new kinds of risks around how data is handled within the language services supply and production chain, and compliance conversations with clients are also moving towards AI governance. During the summer of 2026, the University of Warwick Translation and Transcultural Studies’ MA student Karol Cecot’s dissertation research project will be looking at data risk management and emerging best practice for secure AI use by LSCs. If you have put in place new AI compliance measures, process safeguards, and data governance processes, Karol would love to interview you. Write to ATC CEO Raisa McNab to indicate your interest.

What Are Global LSCs Doing?

Global LSCs are also taking the emerging narrative around data governance and compliance seriously and setting up dedicated ‘Trust Centres’ and ‘Security & Compliance’ sections on their websites. Their aim is to provide transparent information on certifications, security controls, privacy policies, business continuity measures, and compliance documentation to signal trustworthiness and to allow clients to assess governance, security and risk management arrangements and build confidence in the LSC before procurement discussions even begin.

In a recent webcast, Argos Multilingual explores why governance frameworks are essential for successful AI deployment in localization workflows. RWS highlights the burdens of regulation exposing clients to risks of non-compliance which can be mitigated with content solutions and an integrated governance, risk and compliance framework. Translated’s Trust Center is a hub where customers and partners can access information on our security, compliance, and reliability practices.

And LanguageWire signals their commitment to information security through secure solutions and ISO certifications.